Governor’s Office Embroiled in Marriage License Mix-Up

In a bizarre incident that has left officials in Montgomery scratching their heads, a curious citizen from Ohio has requested a personal inspection of Alabama’s marriage records. The inquiry, made to Governor Kilby on January 22, 1922, seeks to determine whether Janies Williams has obtained a marriage license in the state. But what the inquirer may not have anticipated is the magnitude of their request. A search of the records by W.A. Darden, secretary to the governor, revealed a staggering 673 white males and 813 black males named James Williams who have been issued marriage licenses in Alabama. The governor’s office is now left wondering which James Williams is the subject of the inquiry. The incident raises questions about the efficacy of the state’s marriage records system and the ease with which individuals can manipulate the system for their own gain.